Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Idyllwild fire district refutes grand jury report

The Idyllwild Fire Protection District has refuted the majority of recommendations of the Riverside County grand jury and argued against becoming part of the Riverside County Fire Department and Cal Fire.

The district filed a formal response to the grand jury report, disputing the claim that the fire district was dependent on outside resources in a high risk area.

The grand jury recommended the district should explore contracting with the state agency, Cal Fire, to reduce risks to mountain residents in a major emergency.

Riverside County contracts with Cal Fire for fire protection and state resources. Idyllwild has a mutual-aid agreement for assistance from Riverside County and the U.S. Forest Service.

The Idyllwild Fire Protection District contracts with Riverside County for 911 dispatch services. Idyllwild then provides its own fire and medical response to local incidents.

"The Board does not agree that the grand jury premise is valid," according to the response by Idyllwild Fire Protection Board President Glen McWilliams. "It would suggest that Cal Fire take over all fire and medical aid services for the entire state."

The response added that the grand jury's recommendation contradicts a California law that provides for fire protection districts.

The board agreed to a recommendation to meet with the Riverside County Fire Department, but said the proposal was rejected several times during past meetings because Cal Fire's medical and fire services were more costly to Idyllwild residents.

"While it is the Board's position that it will do what is best for the safety of the community . . . (it) believes that instead of advocating the abdication of local control over to the state of California, the grand jury would be better to encourage the existing agencies to work together to improve service."

Idyllwild Fire Chief Steve Kunkle said the Fire Department is arranging to meet with Riverside County officials.

Riverside County fire Capt. Fernando Herrera said he was unaware of any requests or recommendations with the Idyllwild district.

By contracting with Cal Fire, Riverside County is allowed access to statewide fire crews, aircraft and equipment in exchange for mutual aid to other regions.

For example, Riverside County has sent several crews to the fires in ther San Fernando Valley, Herrera said.

"Certainly there are advantages to the fire family's large resource capability, but I can't speak to what Idyllwild is looking for," Herrera said.

Kunkle said Idyllwild residents have voted for the district with a $1.7 million budget, and few residents have requested a change. He said a Cal Fire contract would cost more and would be unnecessary given the current status of Idyllwild ambulances and fire protection.

"We hear residents are happy with the service," Kunkle said. "I'd rather see more and more resources all the time. For small fires, our resources are adequate, but no agency is able to fight fires on their own."

Other grand jury comments accused Fire Department personnel of intimidation, citing firefighters dressed in uniform at town meetings and fire trucks parked near homes for long periods of time.

The Fire Department's response said fire personnel regularly attend business meetings in uniform to look professional and the issue of fire trucks was never brought to the fire chief's attention.

Kunkle said he answered several questions from the grand jury prior to the report but did not know who requested the investigation or what experts were consulted.

"Given the lack of any specific information contained in this finding, it is virtually impossible to respond, other than to say that neither the Fire Department nor the commission has attempted to intimidate anyone or condone such conduct," the board's response read.

The Fire Department was required to respond to the recommendations but is not required by law to adhere to the findings.

Reach John Asbury at 951-763-3451 or jasbury@PE.com

http://www.pe.com/localnews/rivcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_E_idyllwild15.45a2ae9.html

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